Chapter 3

It's been raining for hours-Andre didn't chase after me thank God. I am shivering-chilled to the bone. I'm as frozen as an Eskimo. My hands are so numb it hurts-but I can't go home. Someone calls my name… "Tori? Is that you?" said the voice. I am too nervous to call back-too weak. "Tori Vega?" It's Beck Oliver-oh God I must look pathetic.

"Bbbbbbbeeeeccccckkkkkkkkk!?"I am slightly happy to see him. "My God Tori, it's 2 a.m. why are you alone in the rain?" he asks concerned.

For the first time in my life I want to be honest-to be myself. I can't keep what has just happened a secret. I will die inside- I just know it. I begin to cry tears of rain. I ball. "Tori, what happened? You know what you don't have to tell me right now… or ever. But come inside my trailer and we can get you all dried off." I am shaking my lips… but I recall him reaching out to me...wanting to be friends. So I just trust in that. He leads me to his trailer and offers me some of his old sweat pants and a giant hoodie. I just take them-anyone helping me out right now is more than welcome…

I finally mumble… "Bbbeeccckk" "What is it Tori?" He cares I can just see it written in his eyes. "Can I tell you everything? I need a friend right now? Please and I may even cry a lot…but please let me know it's okay if I do…" I am being honest with a boy I don't know but like more than Andre at this point.

"Sure Tori- I am all ears. I will listen. And feel free to cry. Jade did… I just broke up with her. Turns out she was cheating on me with my old Canadian friend Moose. They were having sex and oh before I forget here's $200 for all the lunch money she stole. Sorry I didn't believe you." He takes his hands and wipes my tears away.

"I am so sorry Beck. Looks like we both are having shitty days. Let me just spill it all- since you did to me. And thanks for the lunch money re-imbursement." I begin to cry a little…I am so nervous about everything… "Beck….I…Andre…hotel…camera…" I am so scared-breathing is next to impossible.

"Take deep breaths with me…in…out…in…out…" I do as I am told and begin. "Andre invited me to a hotel-he also asked me to be the star in a music video. At the hotel he tried to video tape us having sex…but I noticed on time. But he has the video-I got down to my bra and panties. When people see that they will call me a slut." That's all I could get out-I began to get a fever.

"My God Tori! I am sorry would you want to crash here tonight? It's already 2:30 a.m.? And the rain is relentless tonight. I can take the couch and you can have my bed. I promise I have no cameras that are on and I won't tell a soul you stayed here." I was shocked at his kindness-wondering where his family was. And yet not caring.

"Can I hide out here for a while? And give you $200 for food and board? I am not ready to face anybody…" "Sure that's fine…would you like me to get you clothes or anything?" "Ummm…sure thanks. Can we not go to my house? I can't face my mother and Trina will be home from college soon and will most likely make fun of me for what just happened."

"Sure Tori. Whatever you want…can I just pick out clothes from Goodwill? Since I am not Mr. Rich right now?" he asks. "Sure and I am willing to burrow any of the clothes you offer me including your hands me downs." "Tori I take back what I said a few days ago. I don't hate you-and I am glad we can be friends. Especially now."

"Wow thanks Beck for everything. And you're right I am a fraud-a fake! I have worn masks for so long…I have forgotten who I am. Andre never loved me-he used me for my talent…" Beck placed his hand over my mouth. "Sshhh just go to sleep we can chat later. I am going out to buy clothes for you…" "Wait Beck please not in the middle of the night. I would be terrified to stay here by myself-alone in this trailer park…" I must sound pathetic to him. But since he's taken me into his home and has sheltered me I could care less.

"Sure I will stay-go to sleep. I am going to watch the Walking Dead. And maybe tomorrow we could go over our lines for the play? To get our minds off of all this bull shit." I nod my head-I am so sleepy I just collapsed on the couch. My head was on his lap-but he didn't seem to mind. It's as if I have gained a new best friend.

Five hours later I wake up. My head is still in his lap and he's looking down at me. I begin to notice him stroking my hair. "Good Morning Tori," he smiles at me through those baby browns eyes. "Hey Beck…" wait what's going on...my heart's racing. Am I attracted to him? Well I did tell Cat that he's attractive but not likeable.

But now that he's likeable-my heart's pounding. He is so handsome-he's so kind. His black hair extends upward in waves. I notice he wants to hold my hand-which I don't mind. It's like I am this new woman-beautiful in his eyes. But everything is happening so fast. I want to be his friend. Our fingers are lacing-curled in each other's hands. We both sense healing-that we can heal each other somehow. I can't rebound with Beck though… he deserves more than that. And I don't want him to rebound with me-my heart couldn't take it. I haven't felt this safe in a long time. He is safe so safe.

My mother is so sexual with different men. They have even tried to come into my room and have their "way" with me for pay or pleasure I am not sure. I proceed to tell Beck-I want to move in with him. It may seem inappropriate-but any place is better than home. "Beck I have something I really want to ask you! But first there is something you should know about me. My mother has multiple sex partners and boyfriends who often try to have sex with me. Can I move in with you-I feel like myself for the first time. Please, I feel safe. I know it's sudden of me to ask. If you say no I understand." He pauses and I get anxious.

"Well Tori… I see no problem with it. You're probably wondering why my parents aren't here. They kicked me out-for dating Jade. My grandparents gave me their inheritance before they died. That's how I pay rent for the trailer- with their money."

"Oh my gosh Beck-I am so sorry. Man we both are rejected by our families. My father left when I was 4… can we not talk about this right now it's too painful. I am sorry, I am so embarrassed."

He understands me and stretches out on the couch. "Sure Tori… and don't be embarrassed. Just move in I will take care of you..." That's what I have needed to hear for so long. I had to be straight with him that he is only my friend.

"Beck can we both agree to only be friends? Anything more would be rebounding or harmful to me right now." "Sure Tori-we can have a plutonic relationship. We are both adults. Let's go to Goodwill and buy you some clothes. And later go to your house and get your stuff." I agreed and that was that.